More than a dozen area men recently were initiated into the Moolah Shrine at a ceremony held in Poplar Bluff for the first time in nearly a decade.
The “ceremonial” was held at the Three Rivers Shrine Club, and “we brought in 13 new shriners,” said Bobby Wicker, the club’s president.
It’s been seven years since “we’ve been able to have a ceremonial here in Poplar Bluff,” Wicker said.
The ceremonials, he said, normally are held twice a year at the Moolah in St. Louis, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first one for 2020 was cancelled.
“We had several from this area that had petitioned to become shriners,” Wicker said.
Those making the petitions, Wicker explained, had to belong to a Mason Lodge first and be voted in by Moolah Shrine members.
“The majority who came in were masons at the Greenville lodge,” with some coming from the Poplar Bluff lodge, Wicker said.
Russell Georgen, Moolah Shrine potentate in St. Louis, agreed to come to Poplar Bluff for the ceremonial because of the number of petitioners, Wicker said.
“We (usually) get probably five to six petitions in this area through the Three Rivers Shrine Club to become new members,” Wicker said. “This year, we had 13, so ... (Georgen) was willing to come down here.”
And, as a result, “we were able to bring in several new shriners to help raise money for the (Shriners) Hospital (for Children),” Wicker explained. “To help raise money for the hospital is what we are here for.
“... The kids, that is our total purpose.”
After the ceremonial, Wicker said, the new members were welcomed via video by Imperial Potentate Jeffrey Sowder from Shriners International.
“That’s a big deal,” Wicker said.